The effect of miR-23b-3p on growth hormone in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle

Background: There is a relationship between miR-23b-3p and GH in pituitary of Yanbian yellow cattle. However, the specific mechanism of the effect of miR-23b-3p on GH in pituitary of Yanbian yellow cattle is still unclear.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of miR-23b-3p on growth hormone (GH) in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle. Methods The primary culture of Yanbian yellow cattle pituitary cells was carried out, and mimics (miR-23b-3p-mi group), mimics reference substance (NC group), inhibitor (miR-23b-3p-in group) and inhibitor reference substance (iNC group) of miR-23b-3p were transfected into the established pituitary primary cells. After 48 h, the cells were collected and the total RNA and protein were extracted.The mRNA transcription and protein expression level of GH and miR-23b-3p target genes were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. The target relationship of miR-23b-3p was validated by double luciferase reporter gene system. Results Compared with the NC control group, GH mRNA transcription and protein expression level in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle was significantly decreased by adding miR-23b-3p minics ( P <0.01), while compared with the iNC control group, GH mRNA transcription and protein expression level were significantly increased by adding miR-23b-3p inhibitor( P <0.05). The result of bioinformatics analysis and double luciferase reporter gene system validation proved that miR-23b-3p targeted 3'UTR of pituitary specific transcription factor 1 (POU1F1). Compared with the NC control group, POU1F1 mRNA transcription and protein expression level were significantly inhibited by the addition of miR-23b-3p minics ( P <0.01), while compared with the iNC control group, POU1F1 mRNA transcription and protein expression level were significantly increased by the addition of miR-23b-3p inhibitor ( P <0.01). Conclusions miR-23b-3p could regulate GH in pituitary cells by regulating POU1F1 gene.